The Astrology of The Grand Irrationality - What Is It?

by Robert Wilkinson

Visitors to this site know I often refer to a phenomenon which I have termed "The Grand Irrationality." We all know it's happening, and many feel it acutely both within ourselves and with others we encounter. Some seem to be handling it okay, and seem able to function easily despite the obsessive-compulsive behaviors so prevalent in our world. Others are having a harder time with the generic weirdness. It seems as though reason alone is not enough to figure out what's happening, why, and what to do about it. Things are pretty irrational right now, and it seems to many I speak with as though Destiny itself is on the move in most if not all of our lives. Today we will explore what this is all about.

Important decisions are being made, relationships on every level are in dynamic shift, and many are searching for a new life, job, or profession (check out both articles!) Yet for all the forks in the road we confront, none of it makes much sense. From one point of view, the Earth is going into its shift, or Initiation into a new way of doing its being, and since we are part of the Earth organism, we also are going through our own shifts and changes, both individually and collectively. Nations, Economics, Politics, Environment, Health, and many other areas are changing into new transitional models for our transitional era.

Over the past few years, I have termed this collective atmosphere, or phenomenon, "The Grand Irrationality." This is because we are in the heart of a 22 year Neptune septile Pluto. All aspects in the septile series produce irrational points in our evolution, due to the inherent non-rationality of this series derived from dividing the circle by 7, yielding non-rational aspect values. This on-going tension is triggered by other planets aspecting Neptune and Pluto, and these are the points when things seem to be maximally crazy or weird.

Neptune and Pluto, the outmost invisible "spiritual" planets, have been and will be in the irrational, compulsive, "fork in the road" septile aspect for quite a few years. The last time we dealt with this was the 1930s, when Fascism and other authoritarian models, including the AMA and many draconian US governmental agencies, reared their ugly heads in America, Europe, Asia, and other parts of our world. We've been dealing with this since the mid-term elections of 1994, which marked the beginning of the rise of the present Neocon uber-nasty political movement along with the linking up of various terrorists and their organizations.

Perhaps this can explain the sense that we've all been dealing with irrational or compulsive people since the mid-'90s. It sure seems that things and people have gotten weirder these past 11 years and it doesn't seem there is any end in sight. When Jupiter went stationary direct in early Virgo biseptile Pluto and triseptile Neptune in Spring 2004 it primed the pump for more of this sort of extremism, and there are other planetary stations and conjunctions that have contributed to this process.

It's hard to be rational when confronted with irrational people, or those hung up on their particular obsessions or compulsions. That's why it's important to stay focused rather than scattered in extreme (and improbable) imaginings - Pluto in Sagittarius - and keep your eye on the ideal - Neptune in Aquarius - rather than get hardened in vague feelings or peculiar power struggles with friends or associates.

Since we'll be living within this for a while, please don't think these very weird times are only strange and difficult for you personally, since everyone's going through it. Some are more aware of it, some less, and some are totally clueless.

Due to Saturn's association with the number 7, when these septile aspects are active, it is a "destiny producing" influence, and as such are associated with "forks in the road," where we make choices that throw our "destiny" into its path for some time to come. It may not make much sense why we have to make certain choices when we do, or why certain pathways open and others close, but choose we must, for even not to choose is a choice that opens doors and closes others.

You might think that because it involves Neptune and Pluto the effects are subtle, if pervasive. However, if you consider that the Moon makes conjunctions, septiles, biseptiles, or triseptiles to both Neptune and Pluto seven times every month, it becomes evident that we're never really relieved of the pressure, even if it seems to wax and wane with circumstances.

The specific 7 hot zones now in mid-2006 are around 26-28 Sagittarius, 18-20 Aquarius, 8-10 Aries, 30 Taurus-2 Gemini, 22-24 Cancer, 13-15 Virgo, and 4-6 Scorpio. If you have planets in any of these zones, you are being directly affected by the general irrationality, both in the life areas of the houses in which these points fall, as well as the life areas ruled by any planets you may have in these zones. Also remember that if you have planets before these zones, you were most influenced by the Grand Irrationality in recent years, and if you have planets later than these zones, you will be going through your Forks in the Road in the future.

Any planets in your chart that fall near these points have been activated by major irrationality during the past year or more. Any time we've had a transit of these points, it has triggered the pattern. Septiles, biseptiles, and triseptiles all deal with the strange "destiny producing" forks in the road we all confront at various times of crisis and decision. While each aspect has its unique function within the series, they all show as obsessive-compulsive urges, experiences, and interactions at the ego level, and major points of choice and irrevocable change in our lives on a dharma level.

Wherever the active degree zones occur in our charts we have made crucial choices that set our lives and future into dynamic motion. We have had to learn a greater maturity, how to set clear boundaries, and take responsibility to choose what we will be limited by, or not. Again, this is due to the Saturnian nature of the Septile series, derived from the division of the circle of 360 degrees by 7, yielding non-rational values. The Septile, Biseptile, and Triseptile all have their unique function in the span of aspects, and definitely indicate major turning points, or life changing relationships and activities.

This article on "How To Deal With The General Weirdness of The Grand Irrationality" may provide some deeper understanding of how to move through these times without losing your equilibrium and still achieve maximum productivity while being more consciously aware of what a long, strange trip it's been, and will continue to be, for years to come.

Comments

[Pepper]

Robert,
As we all know, the fallout from Chernobyl remains a serious problem twenty years later. The radioactive fallout from Chernobyl not only affected the reindeer in Norway, it also continues to affect sheep farmers in Wales and Scotland today. Cancer remains a serious concern to all of those exposed to its radioactivity. Chernobyl exploded on April 26th, 1986. Looking back to that time, what was happening astrologically? Does it tie into the current Grand Irrationality now?

At the present, the issue of finding a clean source of energy at an affordable cost remains tantamount for all nations? How does the Grand Irrationality tie into what is happening with petrol/nuclear energy in general? Are we seeing the beginnings of a shift in consciousness that may result in these being phased out? What are your thoughts on this topic? Sincerely, Pepper

[Robert]

You opened a huge can of "wormwood" (the meaning of the word "Chornobyl" in Ukranian) with this comment. I cannot go deeply into it in this comment stream, as it is a huge thing in and of itself that you ask. I am very concerned with the global nuclear menace, and have been working to stop this Nazi inspired energy form for over 25 years.

That said, looking at the chart, and remembering that Pluto is the archetype of atomic energy, we find the Chernobyl chart has Pluto at 6 Scorpio. That means Pluto is septile its Chornobyl position, and Neptune is biseptile, so this ties it to the Grand Irrationality as it exists at present.

At the time, the Grand Irrationality had not yet afflicted humanity. Though the explosion chart shows Venus at 29 Taurus in a wide triseptile to Pluto, we would naturally attribute the event to the exact Sun opposed Pluto, and it was not long after the last Jupiter waxing square Saturn. We can only pray this current Jupiter waxing square Saturn doesn't create a reproduction this Autumn.

As for alternative energy sources for transportation, check out this story for some opinions about what is happening, and what I believe needs to be the focus. I am happy you are concerned with larger things, since a great deal of humanity will soon be concerned with much more important issues than the present indulgences. You will also find other articles at Political Physics that will offer glimpses into the environmental, economic, and political future of the world. I have writen other articles on alternative energies (like the water car) and the problems of global warming. There is a link on the left hand side of the page to Greenland melting.

Feel free to post your insights there if you care to, and even make a diary if you feel like posting some things. Just remember that many political people are not interested in metaphysics, so we try to keep a social-responsible focus there, and bring the metaphysics over here.

[Hypnotic Poisonn]

Hello Robert
I'm more than alittle worried by this Grand irrationality process.

On the 27th May 2004 I experience the worst time of my life. If I'm honest I have only just recovered Psychologically from the impact of events that took place.
For me, my Compolsive behaviour took the shape of being convinced that I was terminally ill. No one could convince me otherwise I booked myself in for every test on the market. I fluctuated from feeling like I deserved to die, to thinking what a cruel turn of events for this to happen to me. I have spoken to a Cancarian friend of mine who shares the same day and year as me and, she went through the same thing.

We laugh about it now...nervously!
Deeply concerned HP

[Robert]

Hi HP - Not much point in worrying about the Grand Irrationality, since it's been with us and will be for some time to come. On the day you mention, Mercury was square Neptune, never good for getting accurate information. Venus was in Gemini retrograde opposition Pluto, another spinout type of aspect. The Sun was square Uranus in Pisces, completing a strange time when lots of illusion was in the air. Add Mars and Saturn both in Cancer, and it's no wonder there were some insecurities come up!

Sometimes strange feelings overtake the best of us for no apparent reason. Then the best we can do is not make anything worse than it is, go deep within to our stable spiritual center, and turn to face the inevitability that all forms pass away, our own included. That's why it's important to live every day to the fullest, in integrity, love, play, creativity, joy, and dump every thing and person who is bringing you down, or making you fearful, or getting you lost in their delusion.

This article titled "Eternal Consciousness, Humanity, Life and Death, Light and Miracles" may be worth a re-read, along with the article from the day before.

[hitchhiker72]

Hi Robert,

I dip into your site from time to time and always come across something new and interesting. Sorry this comment is two months late, but I didn't see it when it first came out.

Thank you for giving whatever it is we're experiencing now a name! Sometimes I wonder if it's the boat I'm on that's my life that's rocking or the ocean around it, and then I realise they're both part of the same phenomenon. I occasionally get the sense that as the Grand Irrationality intensifies, it's like a top that's spinning faster and faster and one day it will crash into something and stop and we'll all either disappear into nothingness or wake up and wonder if we'd just been down the rabbit hole.

Anyhow, I'm glad for sites like yours. They prove that sanity isn't yet a lost cause. Thank you.

[Robert]

Hi hitchhiker72 - Glad you come by when you have the time. Just think of this site as a gold mine, where you can discover previously unfound nuggets each time you come back. Your top analogy is interesting. I'm inclined to believe that we'll be spinning AND crash into something AND wake up and realize we've been down the rabbit hole. Thanks for the vote of sanity, though to quote a line from Chico, "...you can't fool me boss. There ain't no sanity clause..."

[Irish]

Just remember that many political people are not interested in metaphysics, so we try to keep a social-responsible focus there, and bring the metaphysics over here.

You penned this phrase in 2006, and it is so a part of my journey today,and really my whole life. I am aware that part of my contract this time around is to facilitate in some way the melding of these two energies. My life experience has led me to be able to function, indeed seek out participation in both worlds. I've never had my astrological chart done, don't know the exact time of my birth, but your website is a bright light of sanity in an otherwise quite confusing transition. Thank you. And so my deep comittment to exploring sustainable housing and relieving poverty and homelessness has been mixed with calling circle for designers and architects who work in an integrated fashion to solve problems. We use drums and meditation to centre before we call attention to the obstacles and then seek solutions which include as close to a netzero energy design as possible. It is such a wonderful time to be combining these skills, but fearful as well.

As one colleague in the engineering world once said, "My profession will chew you up and spit you out." Well, Im an Irish Leo and a little nuts to boot so i'm sure it can be done. some days, takes a little bit more convincing myself to 'put my face out there' than others.
So i do appreciate your insights into the reasons why....
Irish

[Robert]

Hi Irish - Yes, well, one of the great disappointments of my life is how disconnected spirituality is from our political-social dialog in the public arena. And it seems to verify something Gandhi said to the effect that when politics and spirituality are disconnected, politics is quickly corrupted, and ceases to work in the best interests of the people. Sustainable housing is an inevitability given the dwindling resources and the reality that we can make better houses out of tires than wood. You don't need your birth time to learn a lot about your chart, and how and when it works. It sounds like you're striving to bring forth bridge forms that can help things move forward despite the inertias. Irish Leo? Nothing, I mean NOTHING can stop you once you make up your mind. Take it from a Welsh-Irish-German Aries!

[Celia "Ceedi" Leffler]

Hi Robert,

I don't expect you to remember me but I met you (I think it was you) in NYC on a subway around 1974-79. I remember you telling me my chart showed that I was possibly on of the most "powerful people" in the world. I dont know about that but I do have Leo in the first house and 4 planets in Scorpio.
11-12-1954 10:55PM Raleigh, NC.

I kept your card for years. I think you were a few years younger than me..or the same age. We only had one conversation and you already knew so much about astrology then. That was 30 years ago!!! I did end up continuing to study astrology and even worked as an astrologer off and on but never took it too far.

My life has been interesting and many powerful times and moments..but I have so many squares, I never really got on a good solid path. My sun conjunct saturn squaring mars... tended toward castles in the air. I have no Earth in my chart. (midheaven Taurus.. and n. node cap..but not sure if that even counts).. Anyway..I saw your name on an article a friend sent me today and it rang a bell.

Do you remember meeting a young pretty southern girl on a subway that had a way powerful chart in the 70s?

Could be a coincidence and just that guy was an astrologer with the same name as you.

Hope life has treated you well. Ive raised a son alone and been divorced 30 years.. Can't seem to get a loving stable relationship that lasts with anyone what with mars in aquarius in 7th house and all my squares and moon in gemini, etc. Maybe one of these days.

Thanks ... Celia "Ceedi" was Tucker --now maiden name of Leffler

[Robert]

Hi Ceedi - I suppose that would have been me, since I did do thought forms in the NY subways back in the 70s and early 80s. Kept my card for years? Frame it, since it may become a collector's item in the future! (I don't do cards very often this lifetime!) Actually I am a bit older than you, but thanks for the complimentary remembrance, my dear. And while there is actually another astrologer with my name, based on what you wrote me I know you found me and not him. I'll email you soon after the avalanche of personal stuff clears.